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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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ASRock Z790 C Review | 107 Data compared

Avg. price:~£180CPU socket:LGA 1700Chipset:Intel Z790Form factor:ATX

ASRock Z790 C Review: Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

8.0/10

Overall score

Score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the motherboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best motherboards on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

90%

8.0

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–²Better than 75% of motherboards
8.4

Value for money

Value for money
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

â–²Better than 77%
8.0

Technical score

Technical score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Motherboards category across these key areas: Platform & Features, Memory, Storage, Expansion, Ports & USB, Network, Audio, Power & Cooling.
When it matters
When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

19%

9.7

Memory

16%

8.6

Platform & Features

16%

9.2

Storage

15%

5.3

Network

13%

5.8

Ports & USB

8%

8.2

Expansion

8%

8.6

Power & Cooling

5%

7.3

Audio

â–²Better than 75%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £180
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of motherboard ASRock Z790 C

Technical score
Technical score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Motherboards category across these key areas: Platform & Features, Memory, Storage, Expansion, Ports & USB, Network, Audio, Power & Cooling.
When it matters
When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components:

19%

9.7

Memory

16%

8.6

Platform & Features

16%

9.2

Storage

15%

5.3

Network

13%

5.8

Ports & USB

8%

8.2

Expansion

8%

8.6

Power & Cooling

5%

7.3

Audio

8.0
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you prefer a motherboard that has already been bought and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
ASRock Z790 C has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 79.1% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components:

70%

8.0

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

8.4
Brand name
Asrock
CPU socket
LGA 1700
This motherboard uses the LGA 1700 CPU socket, which is more advanced than that of 55% of motherboards and equal to that of 22.6% of motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
This motherboard is built for the Intel CPU platform, which is more versatile than that of 31.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 68.4% of motherboards.
Chipset
Intel Z790
This motherboard uses the Intel Z790 chipset, which is more advanced than that of 77.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.5% of motherboards.
Form factor
ATX
This motherboard has the ATX form factor, which is more versatile than that of 47.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 52.2% of motherboards.
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DDR memory version
DDR5
This motherboard uses DDR5 memory, which is newer than that of 64.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 35.7% of motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.5% of motherboards and equal to 72.5% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
256 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 256 GB of memory, which is more than 82.9% of motherboards and equal to 16.4% of motherboards.
requires BIOS update for full capacity
Memory channels
2
This motherboard supports 2 memory channels, which is more than 0.2% of motherboards and equal to 92.6% of motherboards.
Maximum RAM speed
6,800 MT/s
Market range: <2k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 6,800 MT/s, which is higher than that of 76.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.6% of motherboards.
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N. of M.2 sockets
4
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 4 M.2 sockets, which is more than 84.1% of motherboards and equal to 10.7% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
3x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4/SATA
This motherboard offers 3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA for M.2 slot interfaces, which is faster than that of 73.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.9% of motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
4
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 5.6% of motherboards and equal to 46.2% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 32% of motherboards and equal to 68% of motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is more than 68.6% of motherboards and equal to 26.6% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is more than 55.5% of motherboards and equal to 35.4% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 40.5% of motherboards and equal to 26.8% of motherboards.
runs at x1 mode
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x4/x1/x1/x1
This motherboard uses x16/x4/x1/x1/x1 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is more flexible than that of 87.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.6% of motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
no
This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation. 59.7% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
8
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 8 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 40.2% of motherboards and equal to 30.5% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
15
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 15 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 47.6% of motherboards and equal to 13.5% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.5% of motherboards and equal to 48.7% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
2
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.7% of motherboards and equal to 32.9% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is more than 81.7% of motherboards and equal to 18% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
1 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 50.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 49.2% of motherboards.
LAN controller
?
N. of RJ45 ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is newer than that of 49.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 10.7% of motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC897
This motherboard uses the Realtek ALC897 audio codec, which is less advanced than that of 50.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 29.2% of motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
?
Headphone amp support
no
This motherboard does not support a headphone amp. 59.3% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
3
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks, which is fewer than 50.4% of motherboards and equal to 38.1% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
14+1+1
This motherboard has 14+1+1 VRM phases, which is more than 78.2% of motherboards and equal to 1.4% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.6% of motherboards and equal to 45.1% of motherboards.
Dual 8-pin CPU power.
N. of fan headers
7
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 7 fan headers, which is more than 72.4% of motherboards and equal to 9.8% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 21.9% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
2 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 2 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 45.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 32.4% of motherboards.
Show more

ASRock Z790 C vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatform & FeaturesMemoryStorageExpansionPorts & USBNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 2 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    4 vs 2
  • 2x more maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (256 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    requires BIOS update for full capacity
    256 GB vs 128 GB
  • Newer DDR memory generation
    This motherboard has newer DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 1 more PCIe 5.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • Newer CPU socket
    This motherboard has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1700 vs LGA 1151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1151 CPU socket.
    LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    Dual 8-pin CPU power.
    2 vs 1
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • Newer CPU socket
    This motherboard has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1700 vs LGA 1151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1151 CPU socket.
    LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • 2x more maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (256 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    requires BIOS update for full capacity
    256 GB vs 128 GB
  • Newer DDR memory generation
    This motherboard has newer DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 43.7% higher maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a higher maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (6,800 MT/s vs 4,733 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,733 MT/s.
    6,800 MT/s vs 4,733 MT/s
  • 2 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    4 vs 2
  • 1 more PCIe 5.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    runs at x4 mode
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more PCIe x4 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x4 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe x4 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    This motherboard has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x4/x1/x1/x1 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4). The average motherboard uses x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4 PCIe slot lane configuration.
    x16/x4/x1/x1/x1 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers
    This motherboard has more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 or Thunderbolt header/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (5 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    5 vs 4
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    2 vs 1
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 48.9% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    Dual 8-pin CPU power.
    2 vs 1
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (14+1+1 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    14+1+1 vs 10
  • 1.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (7 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    7 vs 5.5
  • 1 more ARGB headers
    This motherboard has more ARGB headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • No BIOS flashback support
    This motherboard does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.9% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • No headphone amp support
    This motherboard does not support a headphone amp, while the average motherboard does. 59.2% of motherboards support a headphone amp.
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (3x PCIe 4x4, 1x PCIe 4x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • Fewer BIOS update options
    This motherboard has fewer BIOS update options than the average motherboard (UEFI utility, Windows app vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app). The average motherboard offers UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app BIOS update methods.
    UEFI utility, Windows app vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    other video outputs only
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer USB 2.0 headers
    This motherboard has fewer USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
    supports 2 USB 2 ports
    1 vs 2
  • 6.26x less popular
    ASRock Z790 C is less popular than the average motherboard (1 vs 6.3).
    1 vs 6.26
  • No BIOS flashback support
    This motherboard does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.9% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • Fewer BIOS update options
    This motherboard has fewer BIOS update options than the average motherboard (UEFI utility, Windows app vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app). The average motherboard offers UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app BIOS update methods.
    UEFI utility, Windows app vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    This motherboard has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    Intel Z790 vs Intel B860
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (3x PCIe 4x4, 1x PCIe 4x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    other video outputs only
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer USB 2.0 headers
    This motherboard has fewer USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
    supports 2 USB 2 ports
    1 vs 2
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This motherboard has older Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (5 vs 5.4). The average motherboard supports Bluetooth 5.4.
    5.0 vs 5.4
  • No headphone amp support
    This motherboard does not support a headphone amp, while the average motherboard does. 59.2% of motherboards support a headphone amp.
  • 2 fewer 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has fewer 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (3 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks.
    3 vs 5
  • No optical S/PDIF out
    This motherboard does not have optical S/PDIF out, while the average motherboard does. 55.8% of motherboards include optical S/PDIF out.
  • No onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard does not have onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does. 50.4% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about ASRock Z790 C

  • Competitive pricing, often cited as one of the most affordable Z790 boards
  • Supports 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel Core processors (LGA 1700)
  • DDR5 memory support with overclocking capabilities up to 7200+ MHz
  • Solid stability and reliability reported for standard gaming builds
  • Includes essential modern connectivity like PCIe 5.0 for the main GPU slot
  • User-friendly BIOS with helpful features like fan control and XMP profiles

What customers don't like about ASRock Z790 C

  • Uses the entry-level Realtek ALC897 audio codec, which may result in lower audio fidelity
  • Lacks a BIOS Flashback button, making it harder to update the BIOS without a compatible CPU
  • No built-in Wi-Fi on the standard model (though antenna mounting points are available)
  • Lacks S/PDIF digital audio output
  • VRM design and cooling are adequate for most users but may limit high-end i9 overclocking
  • Older Wi-Fi versions (4 and 5) supported compared to newer Wi-Fi 6E/7 on premium boards

Verdict

The ASRock Z790-C is a robust ATX motherboard designed for 12th-14th Gen Intel Core processors, featuring a 14+1+1 phase power design with 50A Dr.MOS for reliable performance, supported by DDR5 memory (up to 6800+ OC) and PCIe 5.0 x16 connectivity. Main characteristics include four M.2 slots (one Hyper M.2 PCIe Gen4), Intel Gigabit LAN, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and extensive USB connectivity, including a rear 20Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port. Pros are its high-capacity RAM support (up to 256GB), pre-installed I/O shield, and solid power delivery for mid-range gaming/content creation. Cons include the use of 802.11ac Wi-Fi instead of 6E/7, and limited PCIe 5.0 to only the graphics slot, with M.2 slots capped at PCIe Gen 4.0.

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